Zanetti targets Inter success under Mazzarri

The Nerazzurri skipper is confident they will be back among the Italian elite next year and hopes Antonio Cassano will not leave the club

Javier Zanetti is hopeful Inter can challenge for top honours again next season under Walter Mazzarri after a disappointing 2012-13 campaign.

The Giuseppe Meazza side had to settle for ninth spot in the table last term, but Zanetti has little doubt that they will be back among the Italian elite next season with the new boss at the helm.

“Mazzarri? We’re talking about a coach who has been successful wherever he’s been. I hope, indeed, I know, that he’ll do the same at Inter,” Zanetti told reporters.

“We all want to bounce back and get back up to where we belong. Our president and the club will do everything in their power to make this a competitive team again.

“We’re setting out to be very competitive right from the start of the season: a club such as Inter should always be aiming to win the title. We’ll have to do that right down to the last kick of the season.”

The Argentine, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury, then briefly discussed the situation of Antonio Cassano, who has been linked with a move away from Inter to Genoa.

He added: “Cassano to leave? I have a fantastic relationship with Antonio. He’s a true champion. I’ve read about the rumour, but I don’t have any idea about what’ll happen.”